NYMTA goal: Operate as “one company”

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it has a communication problem—namely, too much communication. Or to be more precise, too many avenues of communication with the public and the press.

So, to save $10 million a year out of a $10 billionoperating budget, the MTA is closing, among other things, the press offices of New York City Transit, the Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad,and merging them into a single office.

Also,a “virtual consolidation” will create an integrated voice recognition system thatwill replace the 100 phone numbers and five call centers now serving the public.

“By operating the MTA as one company—instead of a loose collection of agencies—we can provide the most efficient and effective service to the 8.5 million New Yorkers who rely on our transportation system every day,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder.